The Kushan Empire was a syncretic empire, formed by Yuezhi, in the Bactrian territories in the early 1st century. It spread to encompass much of Afghanistan, present-day Pakistan, and then the northern parts of India at least as far as Saketa and Sarnath near Varanasi (Benares), where inscriptions have been found dating to the era of the Kushan emperor Kanishka the Great.
The Kushan empire fragmented into semi-independent kingdoms in the 3rd century AD, which fell to the Sasanians invading from the west.
The main coins issued were gold, weighing 7.9g., and base metal issues of various weights between 12g and 1.5g. Little silver coinage was issued, but in later periods the gold used was debased with silver.
The Kushan empire fragmented into semi-independent kingdoms in the 3rd century AD, which fell to the Sasanians invading from the west.
The main coins issued were gold, weighing 7.9g., and base metal issues of various weights between 12g and 1.5g. Little silver coinage was issued, but in later periods the gold used was debased with silver.
(1)
Huvishka
An
AE
Tetradrachm
struck 158-195 AD
in
Gandhara
Obverse: King riding on elephant right, holding trident
Reverse: Deity standing facing, nimbate, offering diadem with right hand, the diadem ends encircling the tamgha at left
Diameter:
-
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 10.92 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 10.92 g
Imitation
No references provided for this coin
(2)
Kanishka I
_tetradrachm_(AE).jpg)
An
AE
Tetradrachm
struck 127-150 CE
in
Taxila
Obverse: þAO KANηþK[I] (Crowned, diademed king standing facing, holding spear and sacrificing at altar at left)
Reverse: MAO (Lunar deity Mao standing left, holding sword hilt and holding out hand in blessing, lunar crescents on shoulders), tamga in field
Diameter:
26.1 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 16.27 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 16.27 g
The chocolate brown patina on this coin is really amazing in hand.
Göbl 774, MAC 3079
(3)
Kanishka I
An
AE
Tetradrachm
struck 127-152 AD
in
Taxila
Obverse: king Kanishka standing left sacrificing over altar, holding scepter; ÞAO KA_NHÞKI
Reverse: god Atar standing left, wreath in right hand; AΘÞO monogram down-left
Diameter:
24.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 16.3 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 16.3 g
No notes for this coin
Göbl 772, MAC 3082-84
(4)
Kujula Kadphises
An
AE
Tetradrachm
struck 30–80 AD
in
India
Obverse: Diademed and draped bust right
Reverse: Herakles standing left, holding club and lion's skin
Diameter:
-
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 7.12 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 7.12 g
Imitative type
No references provided for this coin